It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on 21 October 2014 at 98 years of age.

Gough was a friend of Saxton Speakers Bureau for many years as a respected speaker, political commentator and authority on both the history and future direction of Australia and its position in the world.

His children Antony, Nicholas and Stephen Whitlam and Catherine Dovey issued a statement on Tuesday morning.

"Our father, Gough Whitlam, has died this morning at the age of 98," the statement said. "A loving and generous father, he was a source of inspiration to us and our families and for millions of Australians."

Our thoughts are with the Whitlam family.

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